Contributors to this issue reveal which trees have a special significance for them.
“In the garden of my home in the grounds of a former Soviet army barracks in Eberswalde there are some old beech trees; decades ago, soldiers carved messages and symbols into the bark. They are a daily reminder for me of the fine line between peace and war, the dynamics of history and the fact that nature will outlive us all.”
Professor Pierre Ibisch
“I don’t have a tree outside my door where I now live, but I will never forget the Sibipiruna tree that stood in front of my grandmother’s house: a really big tree with small leaves and yellow flowers. It always reminds me of my connection with nature.”
Carolle Alarcon
“I have a favourite tree in Berlin. It stands in a park close to my flat. A large beech with wide-spreading branches, it is the perfect climbing tree.”
Yve Mehlan
“There is a long tradition in Japan of going out to admire cherry trees and their blossoms in springtime. Known as hanami, this custom symbolises the Japanese people’s cultural landscape and aesthetic philosophy. People from all over the world come to Japan at this time of year to see the blossoms. In our fast-paced modern world, especially when we view it from a spiritual or Buddhist perspective, all things – and above all those that give us pleasure and are testimony to beauty – are short-lived and transitory, which is precisely what makes them so indispensable and valuable.”
Josko Kozic
“At one of our research sites in Berchtesgaden I regularly see a Swiss pine (Pinus cembra), also known as a stone pine or Arolla pine. Not only is the Swiss pine my favourite tree, it is also a true survivor. This particular tree has already suffered considerably. One part broke off, probably from the weight of the snow. And yet the tree continues to live against all odds and, because of the broken-off part, exudes a wonderful fragrance. I am always so happy when I come past this spot – which I have the opportunity to do roughly twice a year when I come to take a temperature sensor reading.”
Professor Cornelius Senf
“In my flat in Berlin’s Wedding district I can see a maple tree in the courtyard out of my windows. It stands among old cars and undergrowth on the boundary to the neighbouring property. Despite its ugly surroundings, the tree brings all kinds of different creatures together: on sunny days, sparrows bathe in the sand over its roots, a stray cat uses the trunk to sharpen its claws, doves nuzzle up to one another in the lower branches, while the highest branches provide a place for hooded crows to rest.”
Dr Simon Probst
“I have a favourite tree: growing up in California I played under it, slept under it – and endlessly listened to the wind in its branches. At around 170 years old, this beautiful sugar pine towered above other trees. I was certain that with its indelible presence it would outlive me and my kids, but sadly I’ve had to say goodbye to it. I feel grief, humility and a stab of urgency. I wonder how long we have left.”
Lindon Pronto
“I volunteer with Bergwaldprojekt (mountain forest project), an organisation dedicated to preserving, looking after and rewilding our forests. In October 2024 I spent a week working with Bergwaldprojekt in the Saxon Switzerland national park (in southeastern Germany). I was particularly excited to be involved in planting silver fir trees, a species considered to be „future proof“. Did you know that the silver fir is far more climate resilient than other species of tree, which is why it is making a comeback in Germany’s forests? It has deep roots, can cope better with dry conditions and also thrives in the shade of other trees. In other words, it’s not only a good thing in ecological terms, but also offers a ray of hope for our woodlands!”
Anke Stahl, DAAD Head of Division for Project Policies, Research and Internationalisation, University Networks
